Water craft



A. l. ROMAN Oct. 19, 1965 WATER CRAFT 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 22 1959 Fig. Q

INVENTOR ALFRED ROMA/V A. l. ROMAN Oct. 19, 1965 WATER CRAFT 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 22 1959 INVENTOR.

ALFRED I. ROMA/V AT TOR/VE Y Oct. 19, 15965 A. l. ROMAN 3,212,109

WATER CRAFT Filed April 22, 1959 s Sheets-Sheet s I" II I06 all fig. 27

INVENTOR. ALFRED I ROMAN 3,212,109 WATER CRAFT Alfred I. Roman, Willard, Utah (280 Winthrop Ave., New Haven, Conn.) Filed Apr. 22, 1959, Ser. No. 808,260 12 Claims. '(Cl. 9-2) This invention relates generally to water craft and more particularly to novel water craft structures having separable and collapsible parts which may readily be assembled or disassembled and packed or unpacked, as the case may be, for ease of portage to and from the launching site.

According to the invention, the water craft comprises a plurality of inflatable collapsible buoyant members for supporting a separable framework which, in turn, maintains the members in spaced relation and also serves in a variety of craft configurations to support such craft accessories as steering gear, cockpit, mast and sail, outboard motor, or engine and air-screw combination. The construction and arrangement of the parts is such that the direction of motion of the craft whether fore or aft and the mode of propulsion whether by motor or sail may be varied selectively in accordance with the service desired. In some embodiments of the invention, for example, the mast may, contrary to conventional design, be supported near the stern of the craft to avoid the usual swinging of the boom over areas of the craft which otherwise could be safely used for cargo or crew. Provision is also made for varying the position of the mast along the length of the craft so that the center of pressure on the sail may be balanced relative to other forces such as side thrust, dynamic thrust, buoyancy, and the center of gravity.

The water craft of the present invention is well adapted and, in fact, primarily intended for support and pleasure but may be used to advantage for commercial purposes such, for example, as for supporting fishing nets, boats in drydock, or cargo in transport. In any case, provision is made for assembling the structure, or multiplication of unit structures, as the case may be, with a minimum of simple connections between parts whereby the same may quickly be assembled or disassembled and readily compacted for transport, for example, in the trunk compartment of an automobile.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide novel water craft configurations having utility and stability for sport, pleasure, and commercial service.

It is also an object to provide water craft structures which may be fabricated from conventional materials serviceable for such purposes, or rendered suitable for sea water service, for example, by application of protective coatings such as paint or plastic.

Another object is to provide water craft structures in which framework members of substantial length are sectionalized, unitary structures are multiplied, and buoyant members are inflated so that the same may be disassembled, deflated, and compacted for ease of transport.

Another object is .to provide novel framework structures in which dual function framework members also serve as couplings, seats, platforms, and like members, for the water craft.

Another object is to provide novel framework configurations in which the mast, rudder, and like members, serve as coupling pins between the various framework members.

Still another object in a water craft structure is to provide novel means for attaching inflatable buoyant members to an interconnecting framework which serves to maintain the buoyant members in spaced relation.

A further object is to provide buoyantly supported framework having provision for supporting an outboard motor, sail, or like propulsion means, and having provision nited States Patent for mounting the propulsion means fore or aft of the craft depending on the desired direction of movement of the craft or the manner in which it is desired that the craft shall be maneuvered.

Still further features, objects, and advantages of the present invention are those inherent in the novel combination and arrangement of parts as disclosed in the several embodiments of the invention presently to be described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a water craft constructed and assembled in accordance with one embodiment of the invention and rigged for propulsion by sail;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation of the buoyant member appearing in FIG. 1 to starboard of the craft;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation of the buoyant member appearing in FIG. 1 at the bow of the craft;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are detail views of the supporting spiders used respectively in the buoyant members of FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 6 is a detail view of the foot rest steering assembly employed in the craft of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a view of the seat rest as viewed along the line 77 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the craft of FIG. 1 rigged for propulsion by outboard motor and steering wheel control;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view in perspective of an alternative form of framework structure suitable for use with the water craft configuration of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9a is a view of a structure similar to that of FIG. 9 with an engine driven air-screw mounted thereon;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the coupling and beams as viewed along the line 10-10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view of the coupling between the transverse beam of FIG. 9 and a buoyant member therefor;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the framework structure of FIG. 9 having a cockpit fitted thereto;

FIGS. 13 and 14 are views in plan and elevation respectively of an alternative framework structure, certain parts being broken away;

FIG. 15 is a view similar to that of FIG. 14 illustrating modifications of the mast mounting and steering arrangements disclosed therein;

FIG. 16 illustrates in perspective an alternative craft configuration utilizing the same coupling fore and aft;

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary perspective detail showing a form of beam connection between the fore and aft buoyant supporting members of FIG. 16;

FIGS. 18, 19, and 20 are diagrammatic views illustrating multi-unit configurations of the craft structure of FIG. 16;

FIG. 21 is a view in perspective of an alternative craft framework structure and configuration;

FIGS. 22 and 23 are views similar to those shown respectively in FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrating modifications of the structure shown therein;

FIG. 24 illustrates a variation of the beam coupling shown in FIGS. 13 and 14;

FIG. 25 illustrates in perspective an alternative craft configuration;

FIGS. 26 and 27 are sectional views taken respectively along the lines 2626 and 2727 of FIGS. 24 and 25;

FIG. 28 is an enlarged view of the beam coupling of FIG. 25 as seen along the line 28-28 thereof, the transverse beam being removed; and

FIG. 29 is an enlarged view of the beam coupling of FIG. 1 showing a modification of the transom for mounting the outboard motor.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like characters of reference designate like parts throughout the several views and more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown thereon port and starboard buoyant members 1 and 2 which are shown as spherical or ball-shaped and provided at their under surfaces with keel-simulating webs o-r fins 3 when this effect is desired. An elongated or teardropshaped buoyant member 4 is mounted at the bow of the craft and similarly has a keel fin 5. All the buoyant members may be elongated or torpedo-shaped, however they preferably are formed of rubberized fabric such as neoprene-coated nylon fabric, or the like or any suitable plastic or coated material, and have the usual valves 6 for inflating and deflating the same, these being bonded into the side wall in a well known manner. The buoyant members similarly have bonded thereto spiders 7, FIG. 4, when they are of spherical form and spiders designated 8, FIG. 5, when they are teardrop shaped, the spiders in each case having finger portions shaped to conform to the contour of the buoyant member individual thereto. The spiders comprise portions of couplings generally designated 10 and 11 in FIGS. 4 and respectively, the couplings also including sockets 9 which may be formed integrally therewith. Couplings 10 and 11 may be formed of metals, plastics, or the like materials.

A framework for interconnecting the buoyant members 1, 2, and 4 comprises a plurality of beam members 12, a pair of which interconnect sockets 9 of buoyant members 1 and 2 and a T-shaped coupling member generally designated 13. Members 12 may be generally of rodlike or tubular construction and although illustrated as round may be of square, rectangular, or other cross-section.

A second pair of longitudinally disposed members 12 are interconnected by an intermediate coupling member 14 and connected at their opposite ends to T-member 13 and a front coupling member 14 respectively, pins 15, or the like, being employed to secure these parts in assembled relation, or in some cases the parts may have cooperating threaded connections for this purpose.

Socket 9 for buoyant member 4 carries a vertical pivot 16 to which it is secured by a horizontally extended rod 17 to which steering lines 18 are connected. The other ends of these lines are attached to a similar steering rod 19 which together with a socket 20 and a second pivot pin 16, FIG. 6, comprise an assembly similar to that of parts 9, 16, and 17. The pivot pins 16 are each received in a central opening provided in the coupling member 14 individual thereto and rotatively secured in such position by caps 21 to which they are secured as by pins 15.

Rod 19 serves as a foot rest as well as the means for steering the craft by the feet, the operator being seated on a seat 22 which may be secured to the coupling 13 as by welding to the transverse branches 23 and the longitudinal branch 24 thereof, or by bolt or screw fastening means 25 to the branch 24.

The mast 28 is extended through an opening 29, FIGS. 1 and 8, and held in position therein by collars 30 which are secured to the mast as by pins or screws 31 on either side of the coupling 13. The mast pivotally supports a boom 32 as at 33 and the mast and boom together support a sail 34 in a conventional maner. Ropes 35 connected to the end of the boom pass through loops 36 carried by transverse frame members 12 and are secured in adjusted positions of the sail by the rope cinching means 37 secured to aft frame member 12. It will be noted that the boom 32 extends aft of the craft in FIG. 1, thus making is possible for the operator to sit just forward of the mast without being in danger of being hit by the swinging boom.

Coupling 13 has rearwardly extended parts 38 to which a wood transom 39 is fastened as at 40 by bolts, studs, screws, or the like, wood being preferred for this purpose in order to minimize transfer of vibration from the outboard motor 41 shown mounted on the transom in 4 FIG. 8. In FIG. 29, the parts 38 are flanged as at 42 and pads 43 made of rubber or other resilient material are interposed between the transom and the flanges to further absorb the vibration.

In FIG. 8 the lines 35 attach to motor 41 as at 44 and extend with lines 18 through openings 45 in the footboard portion 46 of a dashboard 47 which is secured to coupling 14 as at 48 in any suitable manner. Lines 18 and 35 extend to and are wound about a steering column 49 and secured thereto at 50 by passing through an opening in the column. The column is journalled in a sleeve 51 secured to dashboard 47 and has a steering wheel 52 aflixed thereto at the opposite end. Turning wheel 52 clockwise as viewed in FIG. 8, for example, draws the starboard line 18 and the port line 35 causing the same to be further wound on steering column 49. This causes buoyant member 4 to move clockwise about its pivot 16 and simultaneously causes motor 41 to move counterclockwise about its pivot, thus causing the craft to move to starboard. In similar manner, the craft turns to port in response to turning of wheel 52 counter-clockwise. Alternatively, the craft may be turned by manipulation of the handle 54 of the outboard motor 41 in the usual manner.

In the construction of the framework members thus far described, it is presumed that parts formed of metal are coated whenever necessary with protective coverings as by plating, galvanizing, anodizing, painting, plasticizing, or the like. In the structure disclosed in FIGS. 9 to 12, coupling 55, transverse beam 56, and longitudinal beam 57 are fabricated from plywood, glass, or plastic laminates, and the like. Hollowed sections may be utilized as at 58 and 59 to reduce weight, and beams 56 and 57 preferably are of moderate length and therefore may be formed as unitary members having openings 70 and 60, respectively, through which the mast 28 projects, thereby to serve as the coupling pin. As may be seen in FIG. 11, socket coupling 61 for buoyant member 2 has a tapered socket 62 for receiving the tapered end of beam 56, these parts having openings 64 and 65 for receiving a coupling pin 66 which is held in position by the washer 67 and cotter pin 68. Transom 39 is secured to projections 69 of couplying 55 as by fastening means 40 in the manner shown in FIG. 16. The fastening means, for example, may comprise studs embedded in projections 69.

Surfaces 73 and 74 of coupling 55 serve as the seat and backrest respectively of the craft and also may serve, by way of example, to formfit a cockpit 75 thereto, as seen in FIG. 12. Cockpit 75 preferably is formed of inflatable rubberized fabric, or the like, and further form fit to and supported by dashboard 47 and footboard 46 which extends toward the bow in the arrangement of FIG. 12.

In FIG. 9a there is shown an arrangement in which a gasoline engine 26 is mounted on the projections 69 of coupling 55. The engine drives an air-screw 27, partially shielded by the shroud 53, and thus provides an onboard means of propulsion for the craft.

Referring now to FIGS. 22 and 23 it will be seen that coupling 76 is generally similar to coupling 55 of FIGS. 9 and 10, coupling 76 being somewhat wider to more fully support a pair of over-lapping transverse beams 77 and 78, the combined length of which is too great to be provided in a single transverse member. Beams 77 and 78 and longitudinal beam 79 may be wide boards or planks of considerable length and preferably tapered as aforenoted.

In FIG. 16, it will be seen that couplings 80 are generally similar to couplings 55 and 76 of FIGS. 9 and 22 and are employed at both the forward and aft ends of the craft. Unitary transverse beams 81 are also employed both forward and aft and are provided with suitable holes for accommodating coupling studs 82 carried by the buoyant supporting members designated 63. Washers 67 and cotter pins 68 may be used to retain the parts together as indicated. It will be noted in this arrangement that the coupling studs 82 are positioned on top of the buoyant supporting members individual thereto. It will be noted further that the mast 28 and the shaft 83 for rudder 84 serve as the coupling pins for the couplings 80 at the forward and aft ends of the craft respectively.

FIGS. 17 to suggest multi-unit configurations of the craft structure of FIG. 16. Longitudinal over-lapping beams 89, FIG. 17, when connected between the buoyant supporting members 63, appear at each buoyant member as disclosed in FIG. 17, the studs 82 serving as the coupling pins between the intersecting transverse beams 81 and longitudinal beams 89, and the unit structure of FIG. 16 being multiplied as appears in FIG. 19. FIG. 18 shows the multiplication of this unit structure without the longitudinal athwartship beams 89, and FIG. 20 shows a multi-unit structure of rectangular configuration in which intermediate beams 81 and the longitudinal beams 85 are deleted. Various additional arrangements of multi-unit structures are deemed to be self explanatory, and the utility of these structures as rafts, barges, house boats, and the like, is also considered to be obvious without further explanation.

In FIGS. 13 to 15 and 24, the transverse and longitudinal beams are of considerable length and are therefore constructed with their greater cross-sectional dimension lying in a vertical plane in order to provide the required strength. The longitudinal beam is made up of two fore and aft sections 90 and 91 respectively which are spliced together as by plates 92 and 93, the assembly being made secure as by bolts or other suitable fastening means 94. Plate 93 has a projection 95 which is apertured as at 29 to receive the mast 28, FIG. 14, the sail in this position having the center of pressure thereof disposed approximately within the vertical plane of transverse buoyant members 1 and 2 to thereby enhance the stability of the craft. Beam 91 is attached as by fasteners 94 to angle members 96 which, in turn, are connected as by fasteners 94 to transverse beams 97, plate 98, and angle support 99 for transom 100. As best seen in FIGS. 24 and 26, transom 100 has reduced ends 101 which are received in sleeves 102 formed of rubber or other resilient material and carried in openings provided therefor in angle supports 99 to thus provide a vibration suppressing mount for motor 41.

Referring again to FIGS. 13 and 14, angle brackets 103 secured as by fasteners 94 to beam 90 and a platform 104 support the platform on the beam. The platform has a large opening 105 therein through which the upper portion of a buoyant member 106 projects and whose coupling socket 61 interfittingly receives the appropriately tapered end of beam 90. Shaft 83 of rudder 84, collars and pins 31 serve, as aforenoted, to retain these parts in assembled relation. At the helm in this case is a steering wheel 52 which is secured to the rudder shaft 83. The rudder is directed rearward as shown by the full lines in FIG. 14 when the craft is to be moved to the left as shown therein either by the sail 34 or the motor 41 attached for this purpose to the transom 100. Wheel 52 may be turned to position the rudder in the dashed line position, however, when it is desired to move the craft to the right as seen in FIG. 15 in which case the transom 39 may be used as the motor support. Alternatively, the boom and sail may be extended in the direction of the platform when propulsion by sail is desired. A keel fin 3 is used with buoyant member 106 aligned with socket 61, the fins of the transverse buoyant members 1 and 2 being at right angles to their respective sockets 61.

In FIG. 15, the position of buoyant member 106 is reversed, and a tiller 87 is employed at the helm and operable from on the platform. Buoyant member 106 is retained in position in opening 105 by rudder shaft 83 which is journalled, as before, in the socket 61 as well as in the platform 104. A releasable ring 108, or the like, may be used to link the rudder to fin 3 to strengthen the fin and enhance the keel effect. A plate 93 is used at the front of the craft in lieu of plate 98 as used in FIGS. 13 and 14 to mount the mast to the extreme front when this is desired. When motor 41 is used and attached to transom 39, rudder 84 may be removed in which case a suitable coupling pin secured by collars 30 and pins 31 must replace the rudder shaft 83.

In the triangular craft configuration illustrated in FIGS. 25, 27, and 28, rearwardly converging beams 109 and 110 are secured to the coupling sockets 61 as best seen in FIG. 28 wherein the members in addition to being secured by coupling pin 66 are lashed together by one or more loops of rope or cable 111 which may pass through an aperture 112 in the pin as shown. A transverse beam 114 interconnects the buoyant members 1 and 2 in the manner afore described, this being omitted in FIG. 28 to illustrate the position of pin 66 within the socket. Beams 109 and 110 support a platform 116 which has an opening through which the upper surface of a buoyant support 106 projects in the same manner as disclosed in FIG. 15, the rudder assembly also being the same as in FIG. 15. Beams 109 and extend through formfitted openings therefor in transom 39 which abuts against platform 116 and thus serves to retain the beams releasably in position, securing pins 72 being employed to hold the transom in position on the beams. Platform 116 preferably is fastened at one side of the frame only, this being done as indicated at 113 by the means as disclosed in FIG. 27 wherein it will be seen that one or more angle brackets 115 are secured to beam 109 and the overhanging portion of platform 116 as by screws 113, or the like.

Referring now to FIG. 21, it will be seen that three buoyant members 4 of teardrop shape may be employed in a craft configuration similar to that of FIGS. 1, 8, and 12 except that in FIG. 21, only two frame members are required; a transverse beam 117 slotted as at 118 to receive interfittingly therewith a longitudinal beam 120 which is suitably shaped to also serve as the platform of the craft. As in previously described embodiments, mast 28 serves to pin beams 117 and 120 together, and transom 39 is secured to the platform as heretofore disclosed. Beam coupling sockets 82 are employed with the athwartship buoyant members 4 for coupling with bear 117 in the manner disclosed in FIG. 16, and the steering gear assembly is generally similar to that disclosed in FIGS. 8 and 12, openings 121, however, being provided in beam 120 to receive lines 18.

From the foregoing it should now be fully apparent that water craft embodiments and various framework structures and configurations therefor have been provided which are well adapted to fulfill the aforestated objects of the invention. It is to be understood, however, that the invention may be embodied in other forms or carried out in other ways without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. For example, transom 39 could be constructed and mounted in FIG. 21 much in the same manner as disclosed in FIG. 25. Also, transom 39 might be omitted in FIG. 21 since some outboard motors are made to attach to a horizontal surface and could thus attach directly to the portion of beam 120 which extends aft of beam 117. As another example, in FIGS. 1 and 8 guides 36 could be carried by the couplings 9 for spheres 1 and 2 where they would always be in the right relationship after assembly. Similarly, cinching means 37 could be carried by coupling 14 so that members 12 could all be identical.

The embodiments of the invention hereinbefore disclosed therefore are to be considered as in all respects illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and useful and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A water craft comprising a longitudinal beam broadened at one end to form a platform, a transverse beam interfittingly and releasably connected at the central portion thereof to said broadened end portion of said longitudinal beam, means including a mast for coupling said beams together, a transom secured to said broadened end of said longitudinal beam, a pair of teardrop-shaped inflatable collapsible buoyant supporting members disposed respectively beneath the ends of said transverse beam, said buoyant members having upstanding coupling members, said coupling members having sockets for receiving said ends of the transverse beam, pins for releasably securing said beam ends in said sockets, a boom pivotally secured to said mast and extended aft of said longitudinal beam, line cinching means secured to said longitudinal beam at or near the forward end of said platform, line guide means secured to said transverse beam near said coupling means respectively, a line secured to the end of said boom and having the ends thereof extended through said guide means respectively and engaged with said cinching means, a teardrop-shaped inflatable collapsible buoyant supporting member disposed beneath the other end of said longitudinal member and having an upstanding socket member, a pivot pin in said upstanding socket and an elongated rod extended transversely through said pivot pin and socket to secure the same together, said other beam end having an opening for journalling said pivot pin therein, means for securing said pivot pin in journalled position in said longitudinal beam, means comprising a footboard and a dash board secured to said longitudinal beam, a steering wheel having a shaft journalled in said dash board, and a line wound on and through said shaft and having the ends thereof secured respectively to the ends of said rod, said longitudinal beam having openings therein for guiding said last named line.

2. A water craft comprising a T-shaped coupling having an opening at the junction for receiving a mast, a transom secured to the transverse legs of said coupling in spaced relation thereto, a seat secured to said coupling, a pair of elongated transverse members secured to and extended from said transverse legs respectively, a pair of inflatable collapsible buoyant supporting members having socket couplings for respectively receiving the ends of said transverse members, line guide means secured respectively at or near said socket couplings first and second elongated aligned longitudinal members, means coupling said first and second members and having a vertically aligned central opening, said first member being secured to and extended longitudinally of the longitudinal leg of said T-shaped coupling, line cinching means secured at or near said first member, means secured to the extended end of said second member and having a vertically aligned opening therein, an elongated inflatable collapsible buoyant supporting member disposed beneath said last named means and having upstanding pivot means journalled and secured within said opening therein, an elongated rod secured to and extended transversely of said pivot means, second pivot means journalled and secured for pivotal movement within said central opening in said means coupling said first and second members, a second elongated rod secured to and extended transversely of said second pivot means, and a pair of lines respectively interconnecting the ends of said rods, said second rod serving as a footrest and also as a foot steering control disposed within reach of an operator seated on said seat.

3. A quick assemble-disassemble water craft comprising a T-shaped coupling having a vertically aligned opening at the junction for receiving a mast, a transom secured to the transverse legs of said coupling in spaced relation thereto, a seat secured to the longitudinal leg of said coupling, a pair of elongated transverse members releasably secured to and extended from said transverse legs respectively, a pair of inflatable collapsible buoyant supporting members having socket couplings for releasable attachment to the extended ends of said transverse members respectively, first and second elongated aligned longitudinal members, means for releasably coupling said first and second members end to end, said first member being releasably secured to and extended longitudinally of said longitudinal leg, an elongated inflatable collapsible buoyant supporting member disposed beneath the extended end portion of said second member and having upstanding pivot means, means releasably secured to said second member for journalling said pivot means and mounting said elongated member for rotational movement about a vertical axis, and means supported on said coupling means and operatively connected to said pivot means for steering said craft.

4. A water craft as in claim 3 and further comprising an outboard motor mounted on said transom, and operative steering connections between said motor and said steering means such that said elongated member and said motor are turned in opposite directions in response to directed steering movements of the craft.

5. A water craft comprising a unitary coupling member having upper and lower transverse and longitudinal openings respectively extended therethrough, means comprising a transverse beam extended through said transverse opening, means comprising a longitudinal beam disposed within said longitudinal opening and underlying said transverse beam, said coupling and beams having aligned vertical openings therethrough, coupling pin means releasably secured within said openings, longitudinally extended spaced projections on said coupling member, a transom secured to said projections, a pair of inflatable collapsible buoyant supporting members releasably attached respectively to the ends of said transverse beam, a teardrop-shaped inflatable collapsible buoyant supporting member disposed beneath the extended end portion of said longitudinal beam and releasably secured thereto pivotally for rotational movement about a vertical axis, and means supported on said longitudinal beam and operatively connected to said teardrop member for imparting rotational movement thereto for steering said craft.

6. A water craft as in claim 5 and further comprising a cockpit mounted on said coupling member and said longitudinal beam, said steering means including a steering wheel located at the drivers station within said cockpit.

7. A water craft as in claim 5 and further comprising an engine mounted on said projections of said coupling member, said engine having an air-screw driven thereby.

8. A water craft comprising a pair of spaced elongated converging beams, a transverse beam interconnecting said beams at the widely spaced ends thereof, a transom releasably interconnecting said beams at the narrowly spaced ends thereof, a platform supported on said beams adjacent said transom and secured releasably to one of said beams, a pair of ball-shaped inflatable collapsible buoyant supporting members detachably secured respectively to the ends of said interconnecting converging and transverse beams, said platform having a circular opening therein, a ball-shaped inflatable collapsible buoyant supporting member having the upper portion thereof projected through said opening, and means operatively connected to said last named buoyant member and to said platform for releasably securing the buoyant member to the platform.

9. A quick assemble-disassemble water craft comprising a transverse and a longitudinal beam interfittingly and releasably attached in T-shaped relationshp, vertically aligned openings in said beams, centrally located at their intersection for receiving a mast, a pair of collapsible inflatable and deflatable buoyant supporting members provided with socket couplings for releasable attachment to opposite ends of said transverse beam, at least one collapsible inflatable and deflatable buoyant supporting member releasably and pivotally secured adjacent the forward end of said longitudinal beam for rotational movement about a vertical axis, means supported on said longitudinal beam and operatively connected to said pivotally-secured buoyant member for imparting rotational movement thereto for steering the craft, means received by the aligned openings in said beams for securing said beams when a mas-t is not employed, line guide means secured adjacent the ends of said transverse beam and line clinching means secured to said longitudinal beam.

10. A quick assemble-disassemble water craft comprising a transverse and a longitudinal beam interfittingly and releasably attached in T-shaped relationshp, vertically aligned openings in said beams, centrally located at their intersection for receiving a mast, a pair of collapsible inflatable and deflatable buoyant supporting members provided With socket couplings for releasable attachment to opposite ends of said transverse beam, at third collapsible inflatable and deflatable buoyant supporting member releasably and pivotally secured adjacent the forward end of said longitudinal beam for rotational movement about a vertical axis, means supported on said longitudinal beam and operatively connected to said third buoyant member for imparting rotational movement thereto for steering the craft, means received by the aligned openings in said beams for securing said beams When a mast is not employed, line guide means secured adjacent the ends of said transverse beam and line clinching means secured to said longitudinal beam.

11. A quick assemble-disassemble water craft comprising a coupling means provided with openings for receiving transverse and longitudinal members releasably attached thereto, a vertically aligned opening for receiving a mast, a transom for supporting an outboard motor secured to said coupling means, a pair of inflatable and deflatable collapsible buoyant supporting members provided with socket couplings for respectively receiving the ends of said transverse members for releasably attaching thereto, at least one inflatable and deflatable collapsible buoyant supporting member releasably and pivotally secured adjacent the forward end of each longitudinal memher for rotational movement about a vertical axis, means supported on each longitudinal member and operatively connected to its respective buoyant member for imparting rotational movement thereto for steering the craft, line guide means secured the ends of said transverse members and line clinching means secured to a longitudinal member.

12. A quick assemble-disassemble water craft comprising a T-shaped coupling with hollow arms and a vertically aligned opening for receiving a mast, a pair of transverse members and a longitudinal member each received by a respective arm of said coupling means and releasably attached thereto, a pair of inflatable and deflatable collapsible buoyant supporting members provided with socket couplings for respectively receiving the outboard ends of said transverse members for releasably attaching thereto a third inflatable and deflatable collapsible buoyant supporting member provided with an upstanding socket coupling for receiving a pivot means releasably attached thereto and journaled in said longitudinal member adjacent the forward end thereof, for rotational movement about a vertical axis, means supported on said longitudinal member and operatively connected to said third buoyant member for imparting rotational movement thereto for steering the craft, a transom secured to the transverse legs of said coupling in spaced relation thereto, a seat secured to said coupling, line guide means secured adjacent the ends of said transverse members and line clinching means secured to said longitudinal member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,126,037 1/15 Lehotsky 26 1,422,071 7/22 Allenbaugh 11522 1,567,555 12/25 Straussler 9--21 1,639,607 8/27 Henry 921 1,738,979 12/29 Adelmann 115-26 1,740,216 12/29 Arroyo 115-26 1,758,289 5/30 Loy 9-21 2,775,218 12/56 Kapusnyk 9-1 X 2,814,057 11/57 Burns 921 2,958,306 11/60 Haxton 9-310 X FOREIGN PATENTS 549,579 11/42 Great Britain.

OTHER REFERENCES Popular Mechanics, January 1956, p. 108.

FERGUS S. MIDDLETON, Primary Examiner.

MILTON BUCHLER, Examiner. 

1. A WATER CRAFT COMPRISING A LONGITUDINAL BEAM BROADENED AT ONE END TO FORM A PLATFORM, A TRANSVERSE BEAM INTERFITTINGLY AND RELEASABLY CONNECTED AT THE CENTRAL PORTION THEREOF TO SAID BROADENED END PORTION OF SAID LONGITUDINAL BEAM, MEANS INCLUDING A MAST FOR COUPLING SAID BEAMS TOGETHER, A TRANSOM SECURED TO SAID BROADENED END OF SAID LONGITUDINAL BEAM, A PAIR OF TEARDROP-SHAPED INFLATABLE COLLAPSIBLE BUOYANT SUPPORTING MEMBERS DISPOSED RESPECTIVELY BENEATH THE ENDS OF SAID TRANSVERSE BEAM, SAID BUOYANT MEMBERS HAVING UPSTANDING COUPLING MEMBERS, SAID COUPLING MEMBERS HAVING SOCKETS FOR RECEIVING SAID ENDS OF THE TRANSVERSE BEAM, PINS FOR RELEASABLY SECURING SAID BEAM ENDS IN SAID SOCKETS, A BOOM PIVOTALLY SECURED TO SAID MAST AND EXTENDED AFT OF SAID LONGITUDINAL BEAM, LINE CINCHING MEANS SECURED TO SAID LONGITUDINAL BEAM AT OR NEAR THE FORWARD END OF SAID PLATFORM, LINE GUIDE MEANS SECURED TO SAID TRANSVERSE BEAM NEAR SAID COUPLING MEANS RESPECTIVELY, A LINE SECURED TO THE END OF SAID BOOM AND HAVING THE ENDS THEREOF EXTENDED THROUGH SAID GUIDE MEANS RESPECTIVELY AND ENGAGED WITH SAID CINCHING MEANS, A TEARDROP-SHAPED INFLATABLE COLLAPSIBLE BUOYANT SUPPORTING MEMBER DISPOSED BENEATH THE OTHER END OF SAID LONGITUDINAL MEMBER AND HAVING AN UPSTAND- 